Creating Excitement for Kids

[Clever Girl]

My family will be taking our first rail journey in late may. My girls are 9 and 7.

For Easter, I'd like to put together baskets for them centered around the trip. I have already bought them train cases (silly me - I was just too excited!) so now I'm looking for other ideas.

I've considered doing small coolers/lunch bags as the basket, but now I don't know what to fill it with. A hoodie? Small blanket? Travel games?

Help!

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Which train(s) will you be taking? You can get lapel pins for the train here: http://store.amtrak.com/ProductList.aspx?did=5552

There's also toys, gifts, etc on this site.

 

[Guest]

We are taking the City of New Orleans!

I love the lapel pins! Just ordered two!

 

[Steve4031]

Teach the 9 year old how to read the schedule. She can track if the train is on time. Also you can give her a map. This teaches geography. And it might be fun.

 

[coachseats]

Here's a cool page with some activities and coloring books you could print out to put in their kits.

http://www.amtrak.com/media/KidsDepot/KidsDepot_HOLD.html

 

[crescent2]

If they have cameras, don't forget those for memories of their train ride. If they don't, maybe a couple of the little cardboard cameras?

Another idea--depending on the kinds of music they enjoy, what about some train tunes on the mp3's? Willie Nelson does a good "Riding on the City of New Orleans." There are many....instrumentals of Orange Blossom Special, etc. Kids might think a few are cool. Well, I think they're kinda cool.

 

[Ocala Mike]

Willie Nelson does a good "Riding on the City of New Orleans."

But not as good as the Arlo Guthrie version!

 

[Cho Cho Charlie]

How about DVD's which have train themes. I am thinking of anything from Thomas The Tank Engine, to Polar Express.

Of course, plan on packing your portable DVD player too (you were planing on bringing that?).